Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J., not me. And I'm not going to repeat myself each chapter so take note now.

PART ONE: FIRST YEAR

1: Letters and Instructions

"Dad, dad!" the shout came from a young blond boy, flushed with excitement, he was closely followed by a black haired girl who was equally animated, her eyes shining. They ran down the hall towards the dining room at full pelt, skidding as they struggled to turn in time to get in the doorway.

The boy was known as Draco Malfoy; the only heir to the hugely influential Lucius Malfoy, the girl was his cousin and closest friend, Rose. They were both eleven years old, and were proud to be pure-blooded wizards, the highest status one could have in the wizarding world – or that's what many believed. Gripped in their hands were letters, thick parchment covered in a delicate swirl of ink, all in all, it looked rather formal to entice such excitement in two so young.

"Don't run in the house." A mans voice chided said as they entered the dining room, sliding to a halt the children took a moment to catch their breath before starting to talk animatedly.

"We got our…"

"…Hogwarts letters…"

"When can we go to…"

"…Diagon alley?" They gasped, still slightly out of breath.

The man was indeed Lucius Malfoy, he was a perfect example of a man who was important, and knew he was. He was well known for being a stiff, some say stuck-up, typical pureblood, however, where his family was concerned he was no different from any other loving father. Smiling, his grey eyes flickered towards his son and neice "Finally. Let's have a look."

Draco handed over his letter to his father. "Mum can take us today can't she?" He asked impatiently, practically jumping up and down with anticipation.

"Stop that ridiculous bouncing, it does not become you." Of course, loving father or not, he was a Malfoy and appearance was everything. "Your mother is attending a luncheon at the Ministers house with me today, we shall go tomorrow." He continued.

"Fine." Draco pouted.

Rose giggled, "Come on let's go play Quidditch before lunch."

"Severus will be here later." Lucius shouted after the children, who had started to run again. Shaking his head Lucius made his way to the drawing room where his wife, Nacrissa was waiting for him.

All over the country eleven year olds were receiving the same letter. A letter which would change their lives. This especially was the case for a small, skinny, scruffy boy with black messy hair, startling emerald eyes and baggy clothes. His name was Harry Potter. A nobody in his world, but one of the most famous people in another world, a world he had no knowledge of, yet.

From an early age, Harry had learnt not to question his Aunt and Uncle, but it was the first letter he had ever got, maybe someone out there cared for him? This time his curiosity was almost too much, maybe he should ask the question, just this once. Maybe.

As soon as his letter arrived, Harry was shoved in his cupboard with no lunch. Who was it from? Why couldn't he read it? A load of unanswered questions swam round in the young boys' head. Maybe it's from someone who would rescue him. Would they come to get him?

No, don't think that. It's never happened before why would it be any different now? No one wanted him, he was alone.

…but, that letter.

Harry just had to read that letter, no matter what. He spent the rest of the day thinking up schemes to get the letter, each more ridiculous than the last. However, he didn't know what his Uncle had done with it.

The next day there was another letter. The day after two letters.

Harry smirked as he realised what he could do. Early in the morning, Harry picked the lock on his cupboard and slipped out into the hallway. Slowly he crept over towards the front door. He stopped when he heard a noise. Snoring? Harry glanced at the floor, door mats don't snore. Harry gasped in surprise; his Uncle was sleeping by the door. Obviously, he thought Harry would try to retrieve his letter.

How stupid did his Uncle think he was? Actually, don't answer that.

Harry edged round the fat form of his Uncle and peered at the doormat. Laying there was five letters, each one addressed to him, they even mentioned his cupboard. How odd. Harry thought to himself. Carefully Harry bent down to pick one letter up, if he left the rest there his Uncle would never need to know.

Smiling, Harry crept back to his cupboard and re-locked the door. He lay down on the mat that served as his bed, he would read the letter in the morning, it was too dark now. So Harry drifted off into a peaceful sleep, happy with the knowledge his letter was safe, no one ever visited him in his cupboard. It might have felt like a prison most of the time but now was one of those rare moments Harry cherished his cupboard, it was the one place he was safe from his uncle.

xx Breakfast time xx

"Up you get freak!" Aunt Petunia shrieked, unlocking his door. "Don't burn the breakfast." She added menacingly as she stalked off.

Harry sighed and stood up, banging his head on the roof of the cupboard, frowning he walked into the kitchen, rubbing the back of his head, and started cooking breakfast. Whilst he was serving out the bacon, Uncle Vernon stormed in. "They don't give up!"

"Who don't dad?" Dudley asked.

"No one poppet." Aunt Petunia said in what she though was a sweet voice, casting a warning look at her husband. "And it's who won't" she added.

"Four letters today. As if sending more will make a difference!"

Harry quickly exited the room, hiding his smirk of satisfaction. He retreated to the relative security of his cupboard, a slice of bread in his hand and reached for his stolen letter. – Though it wasn't really stolen, was it? It was his after all.

He stared at it for a bit, it was made of a strange, thick, almost rough paper but not like cardboard, it looked like proper ink too. On the flap of the envelope there was a wax seal, like from the olden days. Inside there was two pieces of parchment. The first was a letter, the other a list.

Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry

Harry had to read that again, just to check.

Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Mr. Potter

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. A teacher shall meet you in the Leaky Cauldron, London on August 4th 10am, to take you to buy your things. Term begins on 1st September. We await your owl by no later than 31st July.

Yours Sincerely

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"What?" Harry whispered to himself. Staring blankly at the parchment.

He was shaken out of his shock when a shriek came from the kitchen, "Wash up now, freak."

Harry did his chores automatically, today was the 2nd of August, he'd already missed the deadline. What did they mean anyway? 'We await your owl' He didn't have an owl. Come to think of it, no one had an owl.

Still, if he could just get to London.

This turned out to be quite easy, the Dursleys decided to go shopping in London on the 4th, so all Harry had to do was sneak into the trunk of the car and stay quiet. Luckily, he was small enough and there was nothing else in the boot since it was a new company car and hadn't collected the usual junk.

When they got to London he waited until their voices had faded away then he picked the boot lock and climbed out. Stretching his pained, cramped muscles, he looked around. Now where?

It was nine o'clock, he had time so he walked down the streets of London looking out for anywhere called the Leaky Cauldron, it was five to ten when he spotted it, he had been just about to give up and find a way home.

Cautiously he opened the door and stepped inside; he was amazed, glasses were washing themselves and drinks where floating in front of people. Harry looked around and spotted another couple of children his age standing by a rather sulky looking man, who was dressed in black robes, although to Harry it looked like a dress. He made his way over to them, "Excuse me." He said timidly.

"Ahh. Mr. Potter has finally arrived." The man drawled. "I am Professor Snape, the potions master at Hogwarts. This is Hermione Granger and Joseph Blake. Follow me." Suddenly he swept out the pub and into a back yard. Harry and the other two children smiled at each other nervously as they watched him tap the wall with a stick. To the children's utter amazement, the bricks in the wall moved and they found themselves walking into a bustling street.

Harry spent the rest of the morning being constantly shocked; he loved this world, apart from everyone pointing at him and that freaky wand maker. The best thing was his owl, apparently they were the best pet since they delivered letters; not that Harry had anyone worth writing to. At lunch, Professor Snape let them eat on their own, where they finally got to talk in excited whispers with interruption, or glares from the dark professor.

"Wow. I can't believe this place!" Joe said.

"Me neither." Harry agreed.

"But everyone knows you."

"I know! It's odd."

"That's because you're famous." Hermione said self-importantly, pulling a book out of her bag, "Look." She demanded. Worriedly, Harry looked.

"'Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Potter, Dumbledore. And other famous wizards.'" Harry read out, "Can I borrow this for a minute?"

Hermione nodded.

Harry stepped back into the Muggle world a lot happier, he'd learnt more about himself from that book than from a lifetime at the Dursleys. Although that bushy haired girl did seem a bit pompous.

Also, his pockets were heavier, for the first time in his life, he had money. And quite a lot too. He had changed some into Muggle money so he could buy some new clothes and glasses. He saw no need to arrive at a new school looking like a charity case.

Later on, he returned to the Leaky Cauldron to see if they had a room for him, he never had to go back to the Dursleys! As long as he spent his money wisely.

Harry had been staying at the Leaky Cauldron for a week when he got a visitor.

"Hello Mr. Potter. I am Professor Dumbledore, your Headmaster."

"Err…good morning sir." Harry remembered seeing that name on his letter.

Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled, "I'm glad you're settling in the wizarding world well but I would prefer it if you returned to your Uncles."

"But…"

"Now my boy, they have been quite worried about you."

"I'll bet." Harry muttered under his breath. "I'm fine here sir." he added, a little louder.

"I'm sure you are, but you are only eleven, you shouldn't be on your own. Pack your stuff I'll meet you downstairs in ten minutes."

Harry sighed in defeat as he went back to his room to pack. When he'd finished he went downstairs and followed the Headmaster outside. "Hold on tight Harry."

Harry gripped the headmasters arm and was about to ask a question when he felt an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. A moment later, they were outside the Dursleys.

"Sir?"

"Mmm. I'm sorry Harry, I'd forgot you wouldn't know what apperating was, oh well. Here's your train ticket. Have a nice summer and I'll see you in September." With that, he disappeared.

Harry stared at the house and sighed, oh well, it was too good to last. The rest of the summer past uneventfully, with the Dursleys mainly avoiding him, this suited Harry quite fine. The only problem was when Harry needed a lift to Kings Cross station; Vernon only agreed to take him when he found out which platform.

Platform nine and three quarters.

Harry had never seen his Uncle laugh so hard!

Back over at the Malfoy Manor Rose and Draco were being given instructions before they left for Hogwarts.

"Now, Harry Potter is meant to be in your year." Lucius Malfoy started. Draco and Rose glanced at each other.

"I want you two to befriend him."

"It will help the Dark Lord?" Rose asked eagerly.

"Yes, it might."

"You want to be able to give him to the Dark Lord?" Draco asked.

"Maybe, either that or…"

Rose gasped, and then smirked. "You want us to turn him to the dark side." Lucius and Draco matched her smirk.

I wrote this about a year ago and forgot about it, and then I found it again in my photo file for some reason. :D

Anyway, Review please xx